New Grower Sunshine Mix - Soilless?

[breederj]

Its funny I hear people say I grow in soil. When their using ss#4. They think if its brown it must be

 

[Muddy]

Sunshine #4, like Pro Mix BX and HP, are considered semi soil less. The peat, being organic, is what makes it semi instead of a true soil less mix. I've also done a lot of experimentation on what is the best pH for Pro Mix. Right out of the bag it's usually right at 6.9 - 7. After trying various way to lower the starting pH I've found the use of 4 grams of 17% aluminum sulfate per gallon of soil mix and feeds pHed to 6.5 will lower it to 6.2. As the mix dries out the pH will slowly rise back up to around 6.7. This cycling through the pH range seems to work best for these mixes. Since starting this method I've not had any problems with deficiencies and have been getting more consistent results.

I've also found that the starter nutes in Pro Mix are either not strong enough or not best suited for growing mj. I now add a 1/8 strength veg solution to the soil prior to planting and a second 1/8 strength feeding at the next watering, usually around day 8. After that I increase to 1/4, and depending on how the plants are doing, increase to 1/2 by the 4th or 5th feeding. This winter when I have a bit more time I'll be putting all my findings into a soil less growing guide.

 

[Kaiju]

Is that a medium drift range of 5.9-6.7 Muddy? How many days does it take to drift to 6.7?

 

[Muddy]

No, it goes from a low of 6.2 the day after feeding up to 6.6 - 6.7 by the time the next feeding is needed, usually about 8 days when they are young down to about every 4 days as the plants get bigger and feed more.